Elementary Site Council

"The school is the significant unit for improvement and those associated with the individual
school are the persons to effect change."
John Goodlad, A Place Called School

In 2003-2004 the legislature approved Senate Bill 304 which added responsibilities to the
School Site Councils, thereby amending K.S.A. 72-6439. The amendments added as a result
of SB304 are:
• Site Councils may make recommendations and proposals to the school board regarding
budgetary items and school district matters including but not limited to, identify and
implementing the best practices for developing efficient and effective administrative and
management functions.
• Site councils also may help school boards analyze the unique environment of schools,
enhance the efficiency and maximize limited resources, including outsourcing arrangements
and cooperative opportunities as a means to address limited budgets.

In 1992, the Kansas legislature enacted K.S.A. 72-6439, a state statute that instituted the
Quality Performance Accreditation (QPA) system. This legislation required all schools to
establish site councils, composed of the principal, teachers and other school personnel,
parents, business representatives, and other representative community groups. Specifically,
the site councils were charged with the following responsibilities:

Providing advice and counsel in evaluating state, school district, and school site performance

goals and objectives, and

Determining the methods that should be employed at the school site to meet these

goals and objectivies.

The original purpose of school site councils was to transform schools into effective learning
environments by providing school staff and school community members with the authority,
flexibility and resources they need to solve educational problems and implement change. Site
councils give ownership to those responsible for carrying out decisions by involving them
directly in making the decisions. It also enables the school community to create school
conditions that facilitate improvement, innovation and continuous learning. The ultimate goal
of site-based management is to improve the teaching and learning environment for all.

Proposed Local Site Council Guidelines
Purpose: The purpose of the school Site Council is to advise the school on such matters as
student learning, education programs, school improvement planning, and accreditation issues.
The site council also plays an advocacy role for the school regarding the same issues.

Specifically, the purpose is to:

Provide advice and counsel to the school in developing, implementing, and

evaluating school performance goals and objectives, and

Provide ongoing support for the students and staff of the school.

In addition to the above two purposes, school site councils may:

Make recommendations regarding budgetary matters for efficient and effective

administrative and management functions.

Assist school boards analyze the unique environment of schools, enhance the efficiency

and maximize limited resources.

Membership

The site council consists of at least six to twelve members and includes the principal,

teachers, other school personnel, parents of students attending the school, the
business community and other community groups.

Membership on the site council is representative of the demography the school

serves.

Community membership exceeds school staff membership with special attention

given toward underrepresented groups.

Local school board policies clearly delineate site council member selection, rotation,

terms of service, eligibility for service and selection of leadership.

Meetings

Councils meet at regularly scheduled times agreed upon by site council members.

Councils meet at least six times annually but optimally once a month during the

school year.

Council agendas include discussion of student learning, educational programs,

Responsibilities of Site Council Members

skills related to site council work.

The chair, in consultation with the building principal or his or her designee(s),

establishes agendas, conducts meetings, and communicates site council advisement.

Site council members participate in sanctioned school improvement meetings and

visits in an advisory capacity.

Site council members periodically communicate with the school community and, at

least annually with the local board, on site council activities and other council matters.

Site council members take part in ongoing training to build their knowledge and